Howdy from Texas,

Just got my Azera two weeks ago. Love the car. The only problem so far is the tires. I had them checked because of vibration. All tires failed the road force test. Michelin is going to replace them.
Regards to the club members.

Westex39

 

You'll be much better off with new Michies. My wife's cousin's husband works for Michelin and he told me that the "Michelins" installed as original equipment on Hyundais are actually made by Hankook under contract. Michelin basically gives the the mold and doesn't share all their secrets with Hankook; Hankook doesn't put their best effort into the tire because it doesn't carry their name. Hyundai, unfortunately, doesn't seem to care too much; as long as having a tire that says Michelin on the car to help sell it, they're happy.

When you get new Michelins, chances are they will be local supply (American aftermarket) tires which will be true Michelins and not knockoffs.

 

I've decided that most tires supplied on new cars, regardless of brand, are rags. Yes, I realize luxury or high performance cars may have bon-a-fide model tires from the original manufacturer but I taken too many OEM tires with problems to a tire dealer only to be told that they were one-offs sold just the car manufacturer. I've gotten in the habit of replacing all four with a decent set at the first sign of tire trouble (which is often ~20K) after I've purchased a new car.

 

Thanks for the replies. I have always thought that the car manufactures did separate contracting for their tires. I think they are spec'd to the car manufactures so they can buy them cheap. I to have always replaced factory tires. I usually buy Michelin's. I have never had any bad luck with them.
I would really like to put Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread on this car. I don't know if i can work a deal to trade the new replacement Michelin's for them or not.

Westex

 

I just found this through Google search engine.

June 2003
An historic moment in the company's history: Hankook Tire concludes a strategic alliance with the Michelin Group, the global market leader in the tire industry. The contract provides for cooperation in production, distribution and sales. Thus, for instance, using its own technology, Hankook Tire is able to produce tires under the Michelin brand name. This
provides the company with an opportunity to prove its competitiveness, high product quality, and first-rate production technology.

 

After this discussion, I decided to give the Michelins on my 08 Sonata a closer look. They are a Michelin "Energy MXV4 XSE". Curious, I went to Michelin's web site to see what model of tire they "officially" recommend for the car. It's a tire called the "Energy MXV4 S8". Ok, so I then decide to see what cars they recommend the XSE tire for. Surprise!...the "Energy MXV4 XSE" isn't listed as a bon-a-fide model by Michelin. So I must assume the XSE is a Hankook knock off and the S8 is the real McCoy. Here's the scary part. If one Google searches for Michelin XSE or MXV4 XSE, you will discover that some major vendors (e.g. Sears, KMart) do sell the MXV4 XSE in the U.S. It appears the Hankook version is being imported and sold right along side the regular Michelin version. I wish Doohickie's statement:
were true, but it appears it may not. I guess I'll see how well the XSE hold up before I pass final judgement, but I don't find this too encouraging.

 

I check mine out also and they are the real Michs...